Competition leading St George Illawarra had to overcome a halftime deficit to finish over the top of the One New Zealand Warriors in Sunday’s round 20 Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) clash at Trusts Stadium in Waitakere.
The Warriors, pushing to close the gap to fifth spot, were buoyed after their 40-6 win over Wests Tigers and their first half effort reflected it.
After conceding the first try, they came back at the Dragons with two of their own, the first when big prop Tepatasi Laumalili hurtled onto hooker Amasio Tiatia’s pass followed by yet another Harry Tauafiafi try when he cast aside two defenders to get the ball down.
A second Dragons try locked it up 10-10 but the Warriors were in again close to halftime when Jack Thompson took a Brandon Norris off load to score wide out.
Ahead 16-10 at the break the Warriors had an opportunity to build on their lead but ultimately the Dragons showed their mettle as table toppers with a run of 24 points to hold a commanding 34-16 advantage with 10 minutes left.
Match: Warriors v Dragons
Round 20 -
home Team
Warriors
8th Position
away Team
Dragons
1st Position
Venue: Trusts Stadium, Auckland
It proved too much although the home side finished the contest with a superb try shifting the ball left for second rower Connor Bowden to cross.
Beaten 22-34 the Warriors sit eighth on the ladder three points off fifth but face another stiff assignment next week against second-placed Canterbury Bankstown in Sydney.
